Partner

Sherri M. Arrigo

Biography
Credentials
Experience

Biography

Sherri M. Arrigo has broad litigation experience with a primary focus in the defense of professional negligence and pharmaceutical actions. She has successfully tried dozens of medical and legal malpractice cases to verdict, saving her clients millions of dollars in requested damages.

In 2014, Ms. Arrigo was inducted as a Fellow of The American College of Trial Lawyers. According to its Bylaws, “The College’s Fellows are chosen strictly by invitation and only after rigorous investigation; Fellowship is limited to 1% of lawyers in any individual State, to those lawyers who have distinguished themselves in trial practice for at least 15 years, not only as skilled trial lawyers who are recognized by judges and practitioners as the very best in their states…, but as persons whose ethics, moral standards, collegiality, and community standing are exemplary.”  In 2020 she was appointed a member of the College’s Northern Illinois Committee.   In 2023, Ms. Arrigo was admitted as a Fellow in the International Society of Barristers.

Ms. Arrigo has been recognized by her peers as one of the Top Ten Women Civil Defense Lawyers in Illinois. She has been elected as an Illinois Leading Lawyer and Illinois Super Lawyer for each of the past several years.  In 2018, Ms. Arrigo received an award for Outstanding Defense Verdict in a Medical Malpractice Case from the Jury Verdict Reporter. She also has been honored as The Doctors Company Attorney of the Year. In 2024 she was honored with the JVR Trial Lawyer Excellence Award for Defense Achievement. This prestigious accolade recognizes defense trial lawyers who have consistently achieved minimized damages for their clients in high-profile cases. Ms. Arrigo is the past-President of the Society of Trial Lawyers and previously served on its Board of Directors, the Treasurer, and the Vice-President of the organization.   The Society of Trial Lawyers is comprised of elite attorneys who demonstrate leadership and make significant contributions to the legal community by delivering outstanding results for clients. Ms. Arrigo has also served on the Board of Directors of Normal Moments, a charitable organization devoted to providing support and services to families of critically ill children.

Ms. Arrigo is a published author in the areas of professional insurance coverage and legal ethics, and she has been an invited speaker at numerous professional conferences on topics including hospital risk management and legal ethics. Her previous experience as a Registered Professional Nurse in a variety of critical-care hospital settings provides her a unique perspective and understanding of her client’s needs.

Ms. Arrigo joined Donohue Brown in 1999 and became a partner in 2004. She previously practiced at a large Chicago law firm. In 1996, she graduated summa cum laude from DePaul University College of Law where she was a member of the Law Review and Order of The Coif, as well as the recipient of seven American Jurisprudence/CALI awards for academic excellence.

Credentials

Education

  • J.D., DePaul University College of Law, summa cum laude, 1996
    • Member of the DePaul University Law Review
    • Member of the Order of the Coif
    • Recipient of seven American Jurisprudence Awards for Academic Excellence and CALI awards for academic excellence
  • B.S.N., Northern Illinois University, summa cum laude, 1993

Awards

  • Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers (2014-present)
  • Fellow, International Society of Barristers (2023 – present)
  • Recognized for an Outstanding Defense Verdict in a Medical Malpractice Case by Jury Verdict Reporter (2018)
  • Leading Lawyers Magazine, “Top 100 Women Business Lawyers Leading Lawyers” (2018), “The Top Women Lawyers in Illinois” (2015)
  • Named one of the Top Ten Women Civil Defense Lawyers in Illinois based on a survey of peers
  • Illinois Leading Lawyers (2011-present)
  • Illinois Super Lawyers (2010-present)
  • The Doctors Company Attorney of the Year (2013)
  • The Best Lawyers in America® 2021 (Medical Malpractice Law-Defendants)
  • The Best Lawyers in America® 2022 (Medical Malpractice Law-Defendants)
  • The Best Lawyers in America® 2023 (Medical Malpractice Law-Defendants)
  • JVR Trial Lawyer’s Excellence 2024 Award for Defense Achievement

 

Affiliations

  • Illinois, 1996
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, 1996
  • Society of Trial Lawyers
    • President
    • Board of Directors
    • Treasurer
    • Vice-President
  • American College of Trial Lawyers, Northern Illinois Committee

Publications

  • Duties to the Court, Attorneys’ Legal Liability, 2022 Edition

Experience

DBMS Obtains Defense Verdict in Cook County

April 3, 2024 Client:

Physicians

Outcome:

Defense Verdict.

On April 3, 2024, Sherri M. Arrigo, Timothy L. Hogan and Connor J. Whitting obtained a defense verdict in favor of three internal medicine physicians in a medical negligence case ...

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DBMS Obtains a Defense Verdict in Cook County

November 9, 2023 Client:

Physicians

Outcome:

Defense Verdict.

DBMS obtains a defense verdict in a wrongful death case in Cook County. Sherri Arrigo and Jennifer Labus successfully defended two emergency medicine physicians in a medical negligence case related ...

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In the news

Sherri M. Arrigo Receives the JVR Trial Lawyer Defense Attorney Achievement Award

Donohue Brown Mathewson & Smyth is proud to announce that Sherri M. Arrigo has been honored with the JVR Trial ...

DBMS Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025

Donohue Brown Mathewson & Smyth is proud to announce that thirteen of the firm’s attorneys have been selected by their ...
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